At home in Southern Germany, the passionate stock exchange expert has been accompanying the capital markets for about twenty years. With a soft spot for smaller companies, he is constantly on the lookout for exciting investment stories. That it depends thereby less on large names, but on the future potential and whether the market also recognizes these perspectives, was one of its first learnings at the stock exchange.
On these pages, Nico examines current events at listed companies and takes a closer look at companies that are traded under the radar of the market, in addition to well-known securities.
In order to be able to take advantage of speculative opportunities on the stock exchange, Nico not only focuses on a balanced asset allocation of defensive and opportunity-oriented securities, but also on an intact risk management. "In addition to position size and entry in several tranches, investors should also develop a sense of timing and get to know a stock better before investing," says the columnist.
Commented by Nico Popp
Commented by Nico Popp on July 7th, 2026 | 07:15 CEST
This Market Is Growing 17.1% Annually: Bayer and KWS SAAT Rethink Their Strategies – MustGrow Biologics Gains Momentum
Created and published on behalf of MustGrow Biologics Corp.
It is not only drought that is putting pressure on farmers. Regulators are increasingly banning chemical active ingredients that have been used for decades in an effort to protect soils and consumers. Already, 168 countries have significantly restricted or completely banned the use of approximately 568 chemical pesticides. At the same time, the European Union aims to have at least 25% of its agricultural land farmed organically by 2030. As many highly effective products are being phased out, farmers around the world are facing growing challenges. The question of how to maintain crop yields under these changing conditions has become a key concern for industry. This trend is fueling the biopesticides market, which, according to current industry forecasts by Fortune Business Insights, is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17.1%, reaching USD 40.61 billion by 2034.
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Commented by Nico Popp on July 7th, 2026 | 06:55 CEST
Tungsten Emergency: Why Almonty Is Exceptionally Positioned - Sandvik and Lockheed Martin Under Pressure
Beijing's tightened export controls on critical raw materials such as tungsten show how heavily the West depends on established supply chains. China still controls around 80% of global tungsten production. In response to this threat, from January 1, 2027, the US will ban the import of tungsten from China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea for military purposes. This regulatory turning point and a surge in demand from the defense sector drove the world market price for ammonium paratungstate (APT) from historic lows in the low triple-digit range per metric tonne unit (MTU = 10 kg) to well over USD 3,000 per MTU. We take a closer look at the market and show how investors can profit from the tungsten emergency.
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Commented by Nico Popp on July 6th, 2026 | 07:10 CEST
Why the Antimony Bottleneck Threatens Hensoldt and BASF, and How Antimony Resources Benefits
Created and published on behalf of Antimony Resources Corp.
The world order is different from before 2022. China is tightening the reins on critical metals. The situation with semiconductor and alloy raw materials in particular calls for action. The strategic semimetal antimony is increasingly becoming a critical bottleneck for Western industry. China's export restrictions - the country controls around 36% of global mine production and around 70% of global antimony refining capacity - have triggered deep uncertainty among European groups in the chemical and defence sectors. The solution is new supply chains and mines in secure jurisdictions. We examine the current situation and present a possible beneficiary.
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Commented by Nico Popp on July 3rd, 2026 | 08:20 CEST
Legacy Assets as a Competitive Advantage: New Paths for Barrick and Rio Tinto – North Arrow Minerals Unlocks a Desert Treasure
There is no innovation without change. Breaking new ground is becoming increasingly important. But in which direction should companies be heading? Geopolitical upheavals, the restructuring of global supply chains, and the AI revolution are colliding with long-standing challenges such as climate change. While industrial companies must invest billions to remain competitive, resource companies are often in a stronger position, as raw materials sit at the very beginning of almost every value chain. Today, we take a look at companies that are consciously breaking new ground and outline the opportunities this may present for investors.
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Commented by Nico Popp on July 2nd, 2026 | 07:40 CEST
M&A Window Opens: Newmont Needs Gold, Lahontan Has It – Optimism at Commerzbank
Gold is currently on a roller-coaster ride. But behind the scenes, declining ore grades and challenging regulatory requirements are weighing on the business of major producers. As established mining companies must replenish their reserves, advanced junior mining companies in politically stable mining regions are coming into focus. In times when economic activity is slowing in many economies, and the interest rate market is becoming more volatile, it is also worth taking a look at the banking sector.
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Commented by Nico Popp on July 2nd, 2026 | 07:10 CEST
Russia Has Its Eyes on Poland: Asymmetric Threats Boost Rheinmetall and DroneShield—Is Volatus Aerospace a Hidden Gem?
Is Russia testing NATO? New scenarios even consider the possibility of asymmetric attacks on Poland. This complex situation is forcing nations to rethink their defence strategies and invest accordingly. According to surveys by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, global military spending reached a historic high of USD 2.887 billion in 2025. This trend is driving the unmanned aerial systems and defence technologies sector in particular. While large corporations and specialized technology suppliers are benefiting from this realignment, smaller, more agile market players are coming into focus within the defence industry as strategic suppliers and acquisition targets. We take a closer look and highlight some exciting stocks.
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Commented by Nico Popp on July 1st, 2026 | 07:30 CEST
Worry-Free Dividends: Best Buy and Unilever Are Turning the Corner—RE Royalties Offers Deep Value and a 10% Dividend
War or peace? Rarely has the global situation been so chaotic. Even the AI hype, which has driven stock prices higher for years, is fading. So what should investors do? Stable income generators, such as solid dividend stocks, have always been in demand during comparable market phases. But which dividend stock is truly a good choice? While many large corporations are having to reinvent themselves, innovative players in promising niches are shaking up entire markets. A comparison of the three companies—Best Buy, Unilever, and RE Royalties—shows what matters most to dividend investors right now.
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Commented by Nico Popp on July 1st, 2026 | 07:10 CEST
What VW and Mercedes-Benz Must Do Immediately: Lithium as a Constant in Battery Technology – Rock Tech Lithium in an Exciting Phase
Mass layoffs and poor quarterly results are spreading fear in southwestern Germany, the heart of the automotive industry. And rightly so. The German automotive industry faces not only the mammoth task of transformation but also the challenge of sourcing critical battery raw materials. Over 80% of the lithium hydroxide needed in Europe currently comes from Chinese refineries. However, legal requirements such as the European Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA) call for the establishment of local structures for mining and processing in order to break the critical dependence on China. A German-Canadian company could offer the solution.
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Commented by Nico Popp on June 30th, 2026 | 07:05 CEST
For Industry, It Is a Matter of Survival: thyssenkrupp Under Pressure, BYD With Advantages - Can Strategic Resources Provide the Rescue?
Many long-established industrial companies are facing intense pressure: their business models are undergoing structural change, supply chains are being reorganized, and international competition is increasing. European heavy industry, in particular, is at a turning point, as higher energy costs in Europe, especially in Germany, and stricter decarbonization requirements force companies to adapt their production processes. At the same time, Asian technology groups are pushing aggressively into global markets, often with fully vertically integrated structures and clear advantages in the race for raw materials. This is placing immense pressure on traditional European companies to restructure and innovate. We examine the overall situation and highlight potential opportunities for investors.
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Commented by Nico Popp on June 29th, 2026 | 07:00 CEST
Hydrogen Is Gaining Ground in Emerging Markets - How the Transition Can Succeed: Trimble, Nel, dynaCERT
While the long-term goal of completely emission-free mobility remains, opinions on the path to achieving it vary widely. Especially in light of the sluggish economy and major challenges, more and more economies are turning to pragmatic solutions. Many technological and infrastructural hurdles can be circumvented in this way. Since the conversion of large commercial vehicle fleets to battery or fuel cell systems is likely to take decades for well-known reasons, transition technologies are gaining importance. We shed light on the market and introduce three promising players.
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